Tire recapping machine



Aug. 3, 1954 Filed March 6, 1952 E. J. FUGLER TIRE RECAPPING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Edward J. Fug/er INVENTOR.

Mia away 3, 1954 E. J. FUGLER 2,685,106

TIRE RECAPPING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4

Edward J. F ugler INVENTOR.

1954 E. J. FUGLER 2,685;l06

TIRE RECAPPING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Edward J. Fug/er INVENTOR.

Aug. 3, 1954 E. J. FUGLER 2,685,106

TIRE RECAPPING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1952 Fig.9

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 24 Fig. /0 I18 Edward Fug/er INVENTOR.

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Patented Aug. 3, 1954 2,685,106 TIRE RECAPPING MACHINE Edward J. Fugler, Baton Rouge, La. Application March 6, 1952, Serial No. 275,127

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a tire recapping machine and particularly to a light weight structure using a gas burner as the heating element.

In the recapping of automobile tires it has being heated by means of any suitable heater, preferably with a gas burner therein.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide an improved tire recapping machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tire recapping machine having light Weight parts.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a matrix constructed of sheet metal.

provide a tire recapping machine having a gas burner to supply the necessary heat.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a tire recapping machine for providing section molds therein.

pair of the tire is to be made.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be apparent from Figure 1 is a front elevation of the recapping device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the recapping device;

2 Figure 3 is a top plan view of the recapping device;

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 44 of Figure 2 and showing the respective arrangement of the parts;

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation taken substantially on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an elevation of the matrix;

Figure 7 is an enlarged cross section of a typical matrix;

Figure 8 is an enlarged section of a modified matrix;

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 5 and showing a modification according to the invention;

Figure 10 is a plan view of the side heat control elements; and,

Figure 11 is a perspective View of the closure plate for side heating of the mold.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention a supporting frame H3 is constructed of a pair of substantially U-shaped legs I2 and I4. The legs I 2 and I 4 are separated by means of X-shaped brace members It and I1 and I8 and IS. The legs of the U-shaped member I2 are on the base 32 of the leg M.

A horizontal shaft 36 is journaled in the bearings 26 and 3D and extends laterally to one side of the frame it.

nected to a gear change box 48 which carries an output shaft 50 on which is mounted a sheave 52. A flexible drive element, such as a belt 54 is entrained over the sheaves 32 and 52 so that the motor drives the shaft 35 at a reduced rate of speed.

A coupling block 58 is secured on the shaft 36 by any suitable means such as welding or brazing. A circular plate 58 has a central aperture and is secured to the block 55 by any suitable means such as the screw threaded fastener 62. The disc 58 is provided with a radial slot St in which is mounted a pin 69 which is adjustable in the slot 64 by means of lock nuts 68 and 10.

A plurality of clamping bolts I6 are arranged in annular formation about the edge of the disc 58-. A clamping plate 18 provided with an aperture 55 is mounted on the shaft 36 and is secured thereon by means of a nut 82. The disc I8 is provided with apertures 84 for receiving the bolts I9 and the bolts I are held in position by means of hand nuts 06.

The pin 99 is utilized to support th rim 99 of a tire 92. The pin 63 being adjustable in the slot 94 so that the rim 90 is suspended substantially coaxial with the shaft 30. A matrix 94 which will presently be described in detail is mounted on the tire 92 and extends between the plates 58 and i8. Plates 58 and T8 are held in firm engagement with the matrix 94 by means of the hand nuts 89 and 82.

Heat is supplied to the matrix 94 by means of the heater assembly 93, which comprises a box-like frame 98 having a platform I00 substantially conforming to the shape of the discs 58 and EB and being spaced therefrom by discs I02 and allowing air to circulate between the top of the heater and the edges of the discs 50 and H8. The top of the heater I00 is substantially semi-circular and encloses approximately one half of the discs 50 and 18. The heater I08 herein illustrated as a gas burner having legs I08 and H0 is mounted below the top I00 and supplies heat thereto. Preferably, the top I00 is slightly concave transverse thereof so that it provides a shallow dish for the retaining of water or other moisture producing material.

A hood H2 is connected to one end of the heater 96 by means of the hinge H4. The hood I I2 extends over the discs 58 and I8 and in spaced relation thereto and contacts the end of the heater 9S and is secured thereto by means of the lock H9. The edges of the hood II2 are provided with flanges l I8 and I which are laterally spaced from the positions of the discs 58 and I8 and extend inwardly sufficient to cover the aperture I22 between the edges of the disc and the hood II2. A temperature indicating device I24 is mounted on the hood H2 and if desired the temperature in the device may be automatically controlled by any suitable means connected to the temperature indicating device I24.

The matrix 94 is constructed of sheet metal and consists of an outer annular band I and a plurality of pairs of annular bands snugly fitted therein. The first pair of bands I32 and I34 fit snugly within the band I30 and the pair of bands I32 and I34 are of jointly less width than the band I30 to provide a spaced or ribbed channel I39 between the bands I32 and I34. A second pair of bands I38 and I40 fit snugly within the bands I32 and I34 and are of less width than the bands !32 and I34 to provide a second ribbed channel therein. Any desired number of pairs of bands may be utilized with each pair of bands fitting snugly within the next larger size bands and being of successively narrower width to provide wider channels for fitting the tire therein. The bands are all snugly and firmly connected together by means of bolts I having nuts I52. Preferably the matrix 94 is cut to provide a plurality of matching sections which may be fastened together by means of a lock I54 which preferably comprises a T-bolt I56 engaging a hasp I53 and secured by means of a wing nut I60. Obviously the lock I54 may be disengaged to facilitate the removal of the matrix from the finished tire.

Instead of the regular ribs as provided by the matrix in Figure 7, shaped ribs may b formed as shown by the matrix in Figure 8 in which the outside band I39 is provided with a plurality of shaped inserts I05. Obviously, these inserts I65 can be of any size, shape or formation to construct any simple tread on the tire 92.

In the operation of the devices so far described the pin 99 is arranged substantially vertically of the shaft 39 and adjusted so that the rim 90 is concentric with the shaft 30 with the tire 92 being trimmed down and having a mass of camelback I19 applied thereto. Matrix 94 is preferably applied to the tire and the carnelback, before it is inserted within the recapping machine. After the tire and the matrix have been placed in the correct position the plate "I9 is applied and screwed down tight so that the plates I3 and 58 are in firm contact with the matrix 96. Air is inserted through the tube F2 to expand an inner tube I14 and force the camelback I10 into the matrix 94. Preferably the matrix ring I30 is provided with a plurality of apertures I16 to permit air to readily escape from between the camelback and the matrix. Heat is applied to the heater 99 by means of the burner I06 and the temperature is raised to a temperature sufficient to vulcanise the camelback therein. The tire meanwhile being rotated at a velocity of 6 to 10 revolutions per minute so that there is no local overheating but a constant continuous heating of the camclback so that it is properly cured therein.

During the vulcanization of the camelback, it is desirable to protect the side of the the from the vulcanizing heat and for this reason as shown in Figure 9 insulating shields l30 and I82 are applied to the inner surfaces of the discs 50 and I8. The discs I00 and I82 are preferably constructed of light insulating material such as wood. fiber or the like. The heat insulating discs I and I82 are preferably constructed of a plurality of segments for a purpose presently to be described.

It is frequently desirable to put patches or sections in casings and for this purpose it has heretofore been customary to provide so-called section molds for applying such patches or sections. These patch-applying sections have been extremely expensive and cumbersome to handle.

The present invention provides a means for inserting a patch or section in the side of the tire as may be desired. In order to vulcanize a patch in the side of a tire a section on the insulating discs I80 and I82 may be removed and a section I of heat conducting material supplied thereof. Obviously, the section I90 will be of the approximately right size to cover the patch or insert in the tire and as many patches or inserts may be mad as necessary.

In order to secure proper distribution of the heat to the heat conducting section I90 closure members I92 and I94 are applied to the heater 96 and substantially enclose the lower parts of the rotating tire supporting structure up to the shaft 36. As seen in Figure 11, closures I92 and I94 are substantially semi-circular discs I96 provided with apertures I98 for receiving the bolts 200.

The operation of this modification of the device is accomplished by placing the tire in position as before except that any side structure which is to be repaired will be mounted adja cent to a conducting sector I90. While the remaining side walls of the tire will be protected by the insulating sectors I89 or I82 and the heat retaining sections I92 and I9 3 will be secured in place so that the side walls of th tire will be substantially heated to vulcanizing temperature the same as the matrix 94.

is frequently desirable to maintain the humidity within the vulcanizing machine at a higher level than would be produced by heating the normal surrounding atmosphere. To supply the desired moisture a spout 202 is introduced through the plate 1% so that water or other steam forming material, from a source not shown, may be dropped on the heater rec. The devolution of steam within the chamber containing the rotating plates 58 and I8 together with the tire and the matrix therefor increases the humidity within the vulcanizing chamber.

The rotation of the plates 53 and 78 together with the contained structure causes a circulation of air through the vulcanizing chamber so there is little of accumulation of explosive gasses from the camelback being cured.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides a cheap, light weight, easily constructed and easily mounted vulcanizing machine utilizing any convenient source of heat for producing the vulcanizing temperature. Because up and operated in any convenient place.

For purposes of exe-mplification a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described according to the best present unchanges and modifications can be made therein without departing from the true spirit of the invention, what is 2. A tire recapping machine comprising a frame, a horizontal shaft journaled on said frame, a circular plate rigidly secured on said shaft at one side of said frame, said plate having a radial receiving a tire supported on said pin, a second circular plate, securing means extending between said plates, a substantially semi-annular heater positioned below and enclosing the lower portion of said plates, there being an air space between the edge of said plates and the surface of said heater, a semi-annular hood hinged to said plates and being secured to the other end of said heater.

3. A tire recapping machine comprising a frame, a horizontal shaft journaled on said frame, a circular plate rigidly secured on said shaft at one side of said frame, sai plate having a radial slot therein, a pin adjustably mounted in said slot, said pin extending parallel to said shaft, said pin supporting a tire on said plate, a matrix for receiving a tire supported on said pin, a

second circular plate, securing means extending between said plates, a substantially semition to the sides of said plates.

4. A tire recapping machine comprising a frame, a horizontal shaft journaled on said frame, a circular plate rigidly secured on said shaft at one second circular plate, securing means extending between. said plates, a substantially semi-annular heater positioned below and enclosing the lower portion of said plates, there being an air flanges on said hood, said flanges extending in spaced relation to the sides of said plates, substantially semi-circular closures applied to each receiving a tire supported on said pin, a second circular plate, securing means extending between 6. A tire recapping machine comprising a frame, a horizontal shaft journaled on said frame, a circular plate rigidly secured on said shaft at one side of said frame, said plate having a radial ceiving a tire supported on said pin, a second circular plate, securing means extending between said plates, a substantially semi-annular heater of said heater, said hood extending over said plates and being secured to the other end of said heater, said hood being spaced from the edge of said plates, inturned flanges on said hood, said flanges extending in spaced relation to the sides of said plates, substantially semi-circular closures applied to each side of said heater, said closures bein in laterally spaced relation to said plates and extending substantially adjacent to said shaft, a heat insulating lining on said plates in the region contacting a tire, means for maintaining the humidity in said machine.

'7. A tire recapping machine comprising a frame, a horizontal shaft journaled on said frame, a circular plate rigidly secured on said shaft at one Side of said frame, said plate having a radial slot therein, a pin adjustably mounted in said slot, said pin extending parallel to said shaft, said pin supporting a tire on said plate, a matrix for receiving a tire supported on said pin, a second circular plate, securing means extending between said plates, a substantially semi-annular heater positioned below and enclosing the lower portion of said plates, there being an air space between the edge of said plates and the surface of said heater, a semi-annular hood hinged to one end of said heater, said hood extending over said plates and being secured to the other end of said heater, said hood being spaced from the edges of said plates, inturned flanges on said hood, said flanges extending in spaced relation to the sides of said plates, motor driven means for rotating said shaft.

8. A tire recapping machine comprising a frame, a horizontal shaft journaled transversely of said frame, said shaft extending laterally of one side of the frame, a sheave on said shaft, a motor mounted in said frame, a sheave driven by said motor, a flexible drive element entrained over said sheaves, a circular plate secured on said shaft and coaxial therewith, said plate having a radially disposed slot therein, a pin mounted in said slot, means for adjustably securing said pin in said slot, said pin extending substantially parallel to said shaft, said pin adapted to support a tire rim substantially coaxial with said shaft, an

annular matrix enclosing a tire mounted on said rim, a sec end plate mounted on said shaft, a plurality of clamping bolts adjustably clamping said plates into firm contact with said matrix, a heater mounted below said plates, said heater having a substantially semi-annular top spaced from the edge of said plates, a hood mounted on said heater, said hood extending in spaced relation from the top edge of said plates.

9. A tire recapping machine comprising a frame, a horizontal shaft journaled transversely of said frame, said shaft extending laterally of one side of the frame, a sheave on said shaft, a

unted in said frame, a sheave driven by said motor, a flexible drive element entrained over said sheaves, a circular plate secured on said shaft and coaxial therewith, said plate having a radially disposed slot therein, a pin mounted in said slot,

means for adjustably securing said pin in said slot, said pin extending substantially parallel to said shaft, said pin adapted to support a tire rim substantially coaxial with said shaft, an annular matrix enclosing a tire mounted on said rim, a sec ond plate mounted on said shaft, a plurality of clamping bolts adiustably clamping said plates into firm contact with said matrix, a heater mounted below said plates, said heater having a substantially semi-annular top spaced from the edge of said plates, a hood mounted on said heater, said hood extending in spaced relation top edge of said plates, said heater being downwardly curved transversely thereof,

heater.

References Cited in the file of this patent Number Number UNITED STATES PATENTS 

